Boston Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy previews line combinations

The Boston Bruins are set to begin on-ice workouts tomorrow as the team prepares for the 2021-22 NHL Season, and they'll be looking to continue their status as a force in the Eastern Conference. 

However, one veteran leader who has been a mainstay in the spoked B decided to return to his homeland, while the future of another European star remains in question. David Krejci won't be suiting up for the Bruins for the 1st time in 15 years, as he elected to go back to the Czech Republic and play in front of his family with HC Olomouc in the Czech Extraliga. 

Meanwhile, goaltender Tuukka Rask's future in Beantown remains up in the air. To that end, the Bruins secured help in the crease in the form of former Sabres net minder Linus Ullmark, as well as re-signing forward Taylor Hall who found new life with a change of scenery after leaving the doldrums of Buffalo. The Bruins also added the likes of Nick Foligno, Derek Forbort, Erik Haula and Tomas Nosek.

So what will the new line combinations look like in the upcoming season? We shouldn't be surprised if we see Charlie Coyle step in to the 2nd line center role, and likely flanked by the likes of Hall and Craig Smith. Jack Studnicka will also get a chance to show the coaching staff what he's got. 

So how about the remaining two lines? 

“Probably. I think we have a good idea on most of the lines, and how they fit will be determined through training camp obviously and exhibition games,” head coach Bruce Cassidy said over Zoom on Wednesday. “Little bit of the back ends, some opportunity to move some pieces around. Obviously the goaltending is not how we started last year. There is enough change, for sure, but training camp will determine all that. I think every team, to a certain extent, goes through some level of experimenting the first 10, 12, 15 games, and we’ll be no different this year. Hopefully it squares itself away sooner rather than later because, as you know, we like to try different things as the year goes on when the team’s going well, so hopefully we can into that spot quickly.”

The Bruins will begin their exhibition schedule on Sunday against the Washington Capitals, whom they bested in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs this past spring.